Multiple-note chime signal



sept- 1955 L. w. RITTENHOUSE MULTIPLE-NOTE CHIME SIGNAL Filed Nov. 12, 1955 lllllll lllllll Illll Ill IIL IN VEN TOR. LLOYD W R/TTENHOUSE ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice MULTlPLE-NQTE (:HIME SIGNAE Lloyd W. Rittenhous'e", Honeoye Falls, N; Y.,assignoftp The Rittenhouse' Co'mpany, Inc";, Honeoye Falls, N. Y., webrporationof New York ApplicationNovember 12, 1953, ,Seriak Nov 3913661 Claims. Cl. 340-3923 This invention relates to a multiple-note chime signal,. with'particular reference to" the type of signal employing three chimes which are normally operated in" succession to? play a melody, and it has for its-w'pufiposei to aiior'd structure in which three such chimes can: be operated in succession at uniform intervals, or only one of the chimes can be operated so as to be strucktwice in quick succession and after a longerinterval again struck twice, giving two quick double-tone signals with a longer interval between, or the single chime operated-inanyother desiredordcr so as to impart a characteristically different signal from-that when allv the chirries of the Ihultiple n'ote unit are operated.

A further object of the 'invent'ion' is toafford apparatus and acircuit arrangement whereby a multiple-note chime signal canbe" operated in one order tci' indica'te one sta tion, as for" instance the main-- entrance'of ahouse, and one ofthe chimes of the multiplemote chime unit can beoperatedrepeatedly in some difie'rent' orderto' indicate a signal at another entrance: of house, as for instance a side door, thus enabling: striking one" or" morechime's of the same chime unit adifferent number of tin'ies or at difierent' intervals to indicate separate stations or entrances. 7

Still a further purpose is tdp'rovide'ina structure of the character indicated means under the control of two different switches acting. automatically upon" the operation of a front door switchor a side" door switch to select one of twodifferent circuits, such selected circuit determining the manner of o eration of the multiple-note chime unit, as for instance the operation of three chimes successively in the one instance' 'oh a single chime" oper ated four times withalonger interval Between the second and third strokes of the chime, orin any other order or interval relationship that maybe desirable. v v

The invention also contemplates, in conjunction with a multiple-mote selective Systemsuch as described al'a qve, mechanism for effecting a:singl'e"oper'ation' of one" chi'm'e' 015 the multiplem'ote unit as=for instance from a rear door;

toditferentiatefrom side and front door signals, and in.

conjunction with the entire=system a-multiplicltyof single note chimes arranged the basement, up er floors, or

other locations distant from the multiple-note chiin'e unit,

with their'ele'ctr i ca'l operating devices arranged in series with the" various individual chime operating device's" already mentioned, and thereby acting. to give a single= note signal at eachstation throughout" the house simultaneously witheachoperation ofany chime'of the multiple=note chime unit, so' that when any chime of the 2,717,996 Patented Sept. 13, 1955 p The drawing is a diagrammatic" view of a structure and circuit arrangement designed for carrying out"- a' pi'e' and 9 respectively, and also to a conductor 11' which is connected through terminal 12, conductor 13, and ter"-* minal 14' to conductor 15 in which arearrangedin series a plurality ofsingle-note chimes and their' electrical operatingdevices indicated at 16 and 1 7, conductor 15" extending thence to terminal 18 and through conductor 19 to" terminal 21, from which conductor 22 extends to the secondary coil 23* of a transformer 24 thatis connected to the usual PIS-volt A. C. line. The secondary coil 23 is also connected through conductor 25 to m'otor 26, from which conductor 27 leads to-the' relays 2"8 and'29 respectivelywhich selectively operate an interlocking or la'tching relay switch 31 in the manner that will be described presently to close a circuit through conductors 3201' 33 to contact strips 34 or 35'which are selectively connected tothe conductors 36, 37 and 38' or to con duct0r 36 leading to the terminals 7, 8 and 9 and to the operating devices for chimes 1, 2 and 3 of the'rnultipl'enote chime unit. I

The motor' 26 effects rotation of a switch arm 39' carryin'g" two contacts 41 and 42 respectively which are insulated from each other. As switch arm 39rotat'es, contact 41 bridges contact strip 34 and contacts 43,. 44, and 46 respectively, thus establishing a circuit successively to the' conductors 3'6, 37 and 38 to strike the chimes 1, 2 and 3 at intervals determined by the distances between the contacts 43', 44, 45 and 46 which are equally spaced togi've the diiferently toned notes at uniform intervals. The contact 42 bridges contact strip 35 and contacts 47 48; 49*an'd 51 The contacts 47, 48, 49 and 51 are all connected to conductor 36, terminal 7, and the operating device f'orchime un'it 1. Contacts 47 and 48 are spaced somewhat closer together than the contacts 43, 44, 45 arid; and contacts 49 and 51 are similarly spaced somewhat closer together, with a greater" distance and consequent longer interval between contacts 48 and 49, with the result that when contact 42 travels over contact strip 35, it'c'loses the'circuit through contacts 47 and 48 quickly in succession and then after a longer interval closes the circuit through contacts 49' and 51 in quicksuccession,..

thus irnparting two quick strokes and after an interval two morequick strokes to chime 1. Thesignal imparted by contact strip 34 when the three chimes are operatedinsuccession at uniform intervals is readily distinguishable fr'om the signal imparted by contact strip 35 Whena single chime is struck twice in quick succession and: again twice in quick succession after a'l onger interval.

The two distinguishable signals asdescribed abovemay be controlledby operating switches located at different' entrances, as'for instance the front and side doors of a residence, and selection of the particular signal to be given on the multiplenote chime unit, depending upon whether the side or front door switch is operated,- is brought about by the previously mentioned switch- 31' in the manner now to be described. Switch 31 is normally located against one of the contacts 52 and 53' Whichare located in the respective conductors 32 and 33 already mentioned, and switch 31 closes the circuitthrough contact 52 When the relay 28 is operated, and closes the circuit through contact 53 when relay 29 is operated. The switch 31 is connected through conductor'54 to conductor 55 which is connected at one end ofth'e secondary coil 23, and at its other end to terminal 56, and thence through conductor 57 to. the

main'orfron't' do'or button or switch 58, the side door 3 button or switch 59, and the rear door button or switch 61. The front door switch 58 is connected through conductor 62 to terminal 63, and thence through conductor 64 to the relay 28 already mentioned, while the side door switch 59 is connected through conductor 65 to terminal 66 and thence through conductor 67 to the relay 29 already referred to.

The rear door button or switch 61 is connected through conductor 68 to terminal 69 and thence to conductor 38, terminal 9, and conductor 6 to the operating device of chime 3 of the multiple-note chime unit, from which the circuit is completed through conductor 11 to conductor 15, the single-note chimes 16 and 17 to terminal 18, thence through conductor 19, terminal 21 and conductor 22 to the secondary coil of the transformer, from which the circuit is completed through conductor 55 and terminal 56 back to the rear door switch which imparts a single stroke to chime 3 of the multiple-note chime unit and a single stroke to each of the single-note chimes 16 and 17 simultaneously therewith.

The installation illustrated in the drawing is arranged for operating three chimes simultaneously through ter: minal 21 and conductor 22 which is connected to the secondary coil of the transformer at a point to afford a voltage of approximately 12 volts, and if four or-five chimes are to be operated simultaneously, conductor 19 may be selectively connected with terminals 71 or 72. Terminal 71 is connected by conductor 73 with the secondary coil at a point to impart a voltage of approximately 21 volts, while terminal 72 is connected by conductor 74 to the transformer coil at a point to impart the full voltage of 30 volts, the total voltage being divided between the several small voltage electrical devices that actuate the various individual chime units.

The operation of the device briefly is as follows: When front door button or switch 58 is operated, a circuit is completed through conductor 62, terminal 63, conductor 64, relay 28, and conductor 27 to the switcharm motor 26, thence through conductor 25 to the secondary coil 23 of the transformer and through conductor 55, terminal 56, and conductor 57 back to switch 58. Relay 28 causes switch 31 to engage contact 52, closing a circuit from secondary coil 23 through conductor 55, conductor 54, and conductor 32 to contact strip 34, and as motor 26 rotates switch arm 39, the contact 41 on the switch arm bridges and makes connection between contact strip 34 and contacts 43, 44, 45 and 46 respectively. This movement of the switch arm closes the circuit to the multiple-note chime through the chimeoperating devices 1, 2 and 3 successively, the circuit from each of these chime-operating devices being completed through conductor 13, terminal 14, conductor 15, the single-note chime-operating devices 16 and 17 respectively, and thence through terminal 18, conductor 19, terminal 21, and conductor 22 to the secondary coil 7 of the transformer. After the front door switch 58 is released, the circuit is held closed by a holding switch 75 controlled by motor 26 and retained in circuit-closing position until the cycle of movement of switch arm 39 is completed, as Well known in chime signal operations.

The operation thus far described effects successive striking of the chimes 1, 2 and 3 of the multiple-note chime unit at uniform intervals while the single-note chimes 16 and 17 are struck simultaneously with each chime of the multiple-note chime unit, and when the side door button or switch 59 is operated, it is desirable to operate the multiple-note chime unit in a different fashion to sound a readily distinguishable signal, and this is brought about by operating the single chime 1 of the multiple-note chime unit several times at varying intervals.

In the embodiment illustrated, chime 1 is struck twice in quick succession and after a longer interval is again struck twice in quick succession so as to effect four operations of the chime at varied intervals. This is accomplished when the side door button or switch 59 is operated by closing a circuit through conductor 65, terminal 66, and conductor 67 to relay 29, thence through conductor 27 to the motor 26, and through conductor 25 to the secondary coil of the transformer, thence through conductor 55 and terminal 56 back to the switch 59. Operation of the relay 29 causes switch 31 to engage contact 53, closing the circuit to contact strip 35, and when the switch arm 39 is operated by the motor 26, it bridges the gap between contact strip 35 and contacts 47, 48, 49 and 51, closing the circuit successively through said contacts and through conductor 36 and terminal 7 to the chime-operating device 1 of the multiple-note chime unit. The circuit is completed through conductors 11, 13 and 15 to the single-note chime elements 16 and 17 back to the secondary coil of the transformer, and thence through conductors 55 and 54 to switch 31. In this fashion, the chime 1 of the multiple-note chime unit is struck twice with a short interval between each stroke, and following a longer interval is again struck twice in accordance with the short spacing between contacts 47 and 48, 49 and 51, and the longer spacing between contacts 48 and 49, through which the circuit is closed successively by the rotating movement of switch arm 39. At each sounding of chime 1, the single-note chime units 16 and 17 are simultaneously operated throughout the house or at their respective stations.

The structure thus provides a simple and practical apparatus whereby different operations of a multiple-note chime unit can be effected by selecting mechanism that is automatically controlled by operation of the front or rear door switches of a house, the chimes being operated in different order or at different intervals, depending upon which switch is closed, through the instrumentality of two different circuits including two sets of contacts and contact strips which are selectively brought into operative relationship with a movable switch arm that effects closing of either circuit.

when the rear door button or switch 61 is operated, a circuit is closed through conductor 68 and terminal 69 to conductor 38, and thence to the switch-operating dev ce of the multiple-note chime unit from which the circuit s completed through conductors 11, 13 and 15 to the individual single-note chime units, thence to terminal 18, conductor 19, and conductor 22 to the secondary coil of the transformer, and back to switch 61 through conductor 55, terminal 56, and conductor 57. For this operation, there is a single stroke on the chime 3 of the multiple-note chime unit and simultaneously a single stroke on each of the chime units 16 and 17, during which the motor 26 and switch arm 39 are not brought into operation.

Conductor 19 is selectively attachable to the terminals 21, 71 or 72, depending upon the total number of chime units in operation at any given time, and thus the total voltage drop across the chime units can be adjusted so that the total voltage approximates the voltage drop across the several 6-volt chime units. Thus any number of ch mes up to five can be accommodated in such an installation, affording a total of 30 volts which is the maximum voltage generally permitted by fire underwriters in chime signal systems.

While the invention has been described with reference to the particular construction and arrangement herein shown, it is not confined to the details illustrated and this application is intended to cover such modifications or departures as may come within the purposes of the improvements and the scope of the following claims.'

I claim:

I 1. The combination with a multiple-note chime unit including a plurality of chimes, individual chime circuits connected to and controlling said chimes and including a set of spaced contacts and a'contact strip coextensive endwise with said contacts and spaced therefrom, a sec- 'spaced contacts, a motor operatively connected with said contact arm, separate circuits leading to said contact strips and including a pair of contacts, a selector switch arranged between said pair of contacts, separate controlling circuts connected with the secondary coil of a transformer, operating switches in said controlling circuits, and relays in said remotely separated controlling circuits operatively associated with said selector switch and acting to move said selector switch to close one or the other of said contact strip circuits depending upon which of the operating switches is operated.

2. The combination with a multiple-note chime unit including a plurality of chimes, individual chime circuits connected to and controlling said chimes and including four equally spaced contacts, a contact strip coextensive endwise with said contacts and spaced therefrom, a plurality of contacts spaced from said contact strip, a second contact strip coextensive endwise with said last mentioned contacts and spaced therefrom, said last mentioned contacts including two pairs of contacts, the contacts of each pair being arranged in closer relationship than the pairs are to each other, a rotary contact arm having a pair of contacts operating to bridge each of said contact strips and its spaced contacts, a motor operatively con nected to said contact arm, separate circuits leading to said contact strips and including a pair of contacts, a selector switch arranged between said pair of contacts, separate controlling circuits connected with the secondary coil of a transformer, remotely separated operating switches in said controlling circuits, and relays in said controlling circuits operatively associated with said selector switch and operating to move the same to close one or the other of said contact strip circuits and thereby operate the chimes in difierent relationship and at difierent intervals for the two operating switches.

3. The combination with a multiple-note chime unit including a plurality of chimes, individual chime circuits connected to and controlling said chimes and including two spaced arcuate contact strips and two sets of contact: spaced differently relatively to the length of said contact strips, a rotary contact arm having a pair of contacts operating to bridge each of said contact strips and its spaced contacts, an electric motor in said chime circuits connected to and acting to turn said contact arm, circuits which can be connected with either of said sets of contacts and including a pair of contacts and a selector switch movable between said pair of contacts, separate controlling circuits including remotely separated operating switches, and relays in said controlling circuits operatively associated with and acting to move said selector switch to close one or the other of said first mentioned circuits depending on which operating switch is actuated.

4. The combination with a multiple-note chime unit including a plurality of chimes, individual chime circuits connected to and controlling said chimes and including a plurality of differently spaced sets of contacts and spaced contact strips arranged in juxta-relation to said sets of contacts and operating to sound said chimes in distinguishing relationship in accordance with the spacing of said contacts, circuits to said contact strips, 8. pair of contacts in said circuits to said contact strips, a selector switch movable between said pair of contacts, controlling circuits including remotely separated operating switches, and relays operating to move said selector switch in one direction or the other to close one or the other of said contact strip circuits depending on which of said operating switches is actuated.

5. The combination with a multiple-note chime unit including a plurality of chimes, individual chime circuits connected to and controlling said chimes and including two spaced contact strips and two sets of contacts which are spaced difierently relatively to the length of said contact strips and are arranged in operative relation to the contact strips, a rotary contact arm having a pair of contacts operating to bridge each of said contact strips and its spaced contacts, an electric motor in said chime circuits connected to and operating said contact arm, circuits which can be connected with either of said contact strips and including a selector switch, controlling circuits including remotely separated operating switches, and relays in said controlling circuits acting when one of said operating switches is closed to move said selector switch to close one or the other of said first mentioned circuits depending on which operating switch is actuated.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,924,395 Bossard Aug. 29, 1933 1,960,079 Bossard May 22, 1934 2,177,515 Bossard Oct. 24, 1939 

